Ghostwriting
Writing content that is officially credited to another person.
Definition
Ghostwriting is the practice of creating written content — articles, books, speeches, blog posts, social media content — that is officially published under another person's name. The ghostwriter is paid for their work but receives no public credit. Ghostwriting is a fully legal and widely accepted professional practice common in publishing, content marketing, and executive thought leadership.
Why It Matters
Ghostwriting is a cornerstone of content marketing at scale. Most executives and subject matter experts lack the time or writing skills to produce regular high-quality content. A skilled ghostwriter translates a person's expertise, voice, and ideas into polished content. For content teams, ghostwriting enables thought leadership under key individuals' names, building both personal authority and brand credibility.